By Heather Collins
Members of Organization for Bat Conservation has explained the wonders of the flying mammals on The Today Show, National Geographic and The Ellen Degeneres Show, but one of their next appearances will be at Zionsville Town Hall. The free program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in the community room at 1100 W. Oak St.
“We are helping with bat conversation by educating as many people as we can about how bats are important to the ecosystem and in our backyards and to keeping the balance of nature,” said Aja Marcato, conservation programming director for the Michigan-based Organization for Bat Conservation.
The organization helps local communities with bat conservation by offering bat house installation guides, hosting community events with their bat ambassadors and educating the public on how to create bat-friendly gardens.
“We try to not only educate, but to activate people,” Marcato said.
The Bat Encounters program includes a live demonstration with four species of bats. During the program, the organization will also help to dispel some of the myths about bats, educate the community on the importance of bats to the ecosystem and answer questions.
Marcato also noted that bats are important pollinators and pest controllers. According to Marcato, bats pollinate more than 400 species of flowers and fruits including avocados, peaches and agave – from which tequila is derived.
“So every time we have a margarita, we should be cheers-ing a bat,” Marcato said.
The Bat Encounters program is free. The Zion Nature Center will collect items for the Zionsville Food Pantry at the event and requests that attendees bring one item for donation.
For information on the Organization for Bat Conservation, visit batconservation.org.
